CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY MARCH 25, 2025
THIS IS HOW YOU SHUTDOWN RADICAL, ANTI-JEWISH AND ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES: THREATEN TO CUTOFF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN FEDERAL SUBSIDIES.
THAT’S WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DID WITH COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY. AFTER REFUSING TO CURTAIL THE DEMONSTRATORS AND PROTECT JEWISH STUDENTS, COLUMBIA CAVED WHEN IT FEARED LOSING FEDERAL GRANTS. IT WILL NOW DO EVERYTHING THE PRESIDENT HAS DEMANDED, INCLUDING BANNING MASKS SO DEMONSTRATORS CAN BE IDENTIFIED.
A NEW BOOK SUGGESTS GOING FURTHER. RICHARD VEDDER OF THE INDEPENDENT INSTITUTE HAS TITLED IT “LET COLLEGES FAIL: THE POWER OF CREATIVE DESTRUCTION IN HIGHER EDUCATION.”
HIS PREMISE IS THAT COLLEGES SHOULD BE TREATED AS BUSINESSES AND NOT SUBSIDIZED. IF THEY ARE FAILING TO DELIVER THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO FAIL. VEDDER SAYS COLLEGES ARE “UNIQUELY CUSHIONED FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS” DESPITE THEIR MANY FAILINGS.
IN A FREE MARKETPLACE, HE WRITES, BUSINESSES ARE DESTROYED UNLESS THEY TURN PROFITS AND PLEASE CUSTOMERS. GIVEN THE SUBSIDIES MANY RICH UNIVERSITIES RECEIVE THERE IS LITTLE INCENTIVE TO IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCT.
IT’S A PREMISE THAT SHOULD BE EXPLORED, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE VALUE OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION HAS BEEN DECLINING FOR YEARS. I’M CAL THOMAS.
